<p>Squash is a game of finesse. Racquetball is a game of power. It’s not surprising which one would be more popular in the US.</p>
<p>I did not think I would have any strength for my short run, because I had the “bus ride from h*ll” type of a commute tonight. To my huge surprise, I ran my 3.5 miles with ease. Saturday run will be a true challenge.</p>
<p>Hip ultrasound and injections set for this AM unless the office is closed due to tsunami warning. My Dr’s office is in a low lying area not far from the harbor.</p>
<p>Got my epidural steroid injection this am. Hurt more than the ones last summer (slightly different procedure/entry) but not bad. In a rare display of good sense, when I discovered that the anesthesiologist who was sticking a big needle in my back was a UKentucky grad, I did NOT tell him how much I despised UK basketball! I hope it helps. I do it all again in 2 weeks. No run this morning. It was just too cold and early before the appt. This week has been the worst exercise week I’ve had in ages. Did well with hot yoga, but not with the runs.</p>
<p>I hope these shots help, MOWC. I know that you aren’t going to happy if the sum total of your fitness program consists of watching old geezers in speedos do hot yoga!</p>
<p>I count my blessings every day that I’ve managed a year of “moving more” without injury.</p>
<p>I have a pinched nerve (or something) in my neck. I keep wondering if I should go and have my neck x-rayed to see if it’s a disc, calcium deposits, or what. It’s VERY gradually getting worse.</p>
<p>All my adult life I have had a neck that sounds like crunching gravel when I rotate my head. Every exercise instructor has said “If you have a bad neck don’t do certain movements.” Well, abstaining didn’t make it any better, so now I just do what I want, as long as it doesn’t actually hurt. </p>
<p>So I have no idea if there is anything I do or don’t do that helps or hurts. It’s just annoying enough (esp. when I try to sleep and the pillow is too flat) that I’m thinking about going to the doc. Most of the time I just deal with it. I think about people who have REAL pain and mine isn’t that big of a deal. But it isn’t getting better.</p>
<p>–Tried a special pillow for “side sleepers” but what if I roll over on my back? Lumps!</p>
<p>Some rotator cuff problems manifest as neck problems.</p>
<p>Well, I have crunchy shoulders as well. I’ve stopped swimming laps because I feel I might be damaging the shoulders. Sigh…</p>
<p>My entire spine sounds like a bag of rocks when I rotate. I think it’s just one of the joys of becoming a geezer!</p>
<p>On the plus side, all the thoracic spine mobility drills I’ve been doing as part of my warmups is starting to really pay some dividends. Now, I can actually turn around and look down the driveway when I’m backing out of the garage!</p>
<p>Maybe getting a diagnosis can be the first step of recovery. </p>
<p>Maybe not.</p>
<p>But you don’t know anything now; with a diagnosis, you’ll know more.</p>
<p>Thanks. Well, I CAN run and am running but would like to be hitting on all cylinders and not have a sore a$$!</p>
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<p>I know, but you aren’t happy with your running. It would be like me without burpees. I’d be miserable!</p>
<p>No burpees today. New Rules of Lifting for ABS. I’ve now done six shots each at the two rotating workout of Phase II. I stuck with my plan to keep the same weights I’ve been using all week. Honestly, I’ll probably stick to that next week, too. None of these weights are in danger of being “too easy”. Quite the contrary. I think the one-arm push presses (bend at the knees and push up while pressing the DB in one arm straight overhead. I’m using a 35 pound DB and it’s a struggle. </p>
<p>Core was brutal. Front plank while pulling a resistance band handle with one hand. Side plank, the same – pulling a resistance band with on hand. These are so hard. Then prone jack knives on the stabilty ball. A dozen of those, that I capped off with three single-leg pushups on each side – had to do it.</p>
<p>Salmon and broccoli coming up for dinner.</p>
<p>I did 3x10 incline DB Bench (35# DB) and 3x10 flat DB Bench (40# DB) today. I was going to go do some sprint work on the track this afternoon, but fell asleep watching college basketball instead.</p>
<p>Hops:</p>
<p>If you want to “feel the burn”, try some monster walks with the black band just above your knees and the blue band around the ankles. I could do the monster walks, but couldn’t take much of a step with the lateral walks.</p>
<p>These little minibands have to be the best $2 fitness gear ever invented. These things work the hips like nothing else.</p>
<p>“These little minibands have to be the best $2 fitness gear ever invented. These things work the hips like nothing else”</p>
<p>Idad, I think those bands will pale in comparison with Lambada :D</p>
<p>Miniband Lambada. Yeah, that’s the ticket!</p>
<p>Oh wow, idad, you just invented a new exercise method! Put some iPod downloads together, and launch a marketing campaign! This will be HOT - I just heard a new version of Lambada on the local dance radio station. :)</p>
<p>I’m already working on a $99 e-book. I’ve invented a new deadlift – lifting dumbbells from two 10" stools. I’m using two old wooden stools my daughter had when she was a kid. They have dinosaurs painted on them. So, my amazing new breakthrough fitness plan – guaranteed to lose 20 pounds and get ripped abs in just 20 days is going to be called:</p>
<p>The Paleo Deadlift Workout Plan!</p>
<p>But, my amazing Mini-band Lambada Workout Plan (Guaranteed to Lose 20 pounds and get ripped Abs in 20 days!) sounds like a helluva follow-up…</p>
<p>Don’t forget all us little people when you go bigtime like Mike Boyle and all! ;)</p>